Animated foot operated motion device



C. T. HANSON ANIMATED FOOT OPERATED MOTION DEVICE Dec. 11, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 8, 1960 Dec. 11, 1962 c. T. HANSON 3,0

ANIMATED FOOT OPERATED MOTION DEVICE Filed Dec. 8, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Mpg/W United States Patent 3,068,000 ANIMATED F691 GPERA'IED MUHON DEVHCE Carl T. Hanson, RR. 2, Box 11-h, Water-ville, Karts. Filed Dec. 8, 1950, Ser. No. 74,703 2 Claims. (Cl. 272-53.1)

This invention relates to an animated mechanism and, more particularly, to a manually operated animated motron device.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a pedal operated motion device which can be readily used as an exercise device, toy, or amusement device in a restricted space by young and old persons alike.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a foot operated motion device which is supported on a stationary base and requires only sufiicient room for reciprocating longitudinal movement thereof.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a foot pedal operated motion device of the above type which can be conveniently used for amusement and exercise purposes in a highly entertaining and attractive man ner.

Other objects of the invention are to provide an animated motion device bearing the above objects in mind, which is of simple construction, has a minimum number of parts, is inexpensive to manufacture, and eflicient in operation.

For other objects and for a better understanding of the invention, reference may be had to the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:

I FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of an animated motion device made in accordance with the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a longitudinal cross sectional view taken along line 22 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a transverse cross sectional view taken along line 33 of FIGURE 2; and

FIGURE 4 is a transverse cross sectional view taken along line 44 of FIGURE 2.

Referring now more in detail to the drawing, a foot pedal operated aniin ted motion device made in accordance with the present invention is shown to include a substantially rigid stationary tubular frame 12 having a front set of bearing blocks and a rear set of bearing blocks 14, each of which rotatably supports a shaft 16 having a cen tral crank portion 18, and end throws 20 which are rotatably secured to depending feet 22 of a simulated horse 24 having a seat upon which the operator can sit.

The central portion of the frame 12 is also provided with a set of bearing blocks 25 which rotatably support a crank shaft 26 having a pair of diametrically oppositely spaced apart crank portions 28 which are in longitudinal alignment with the crank portions 18 of the body supporting shaft 16.

An arm 30 and pedal 32 with retaining strap 34 is secured to each end of the crank shaft 26 in diametrically oppositely spaced apart positions corresponding generally to the positions of the crank portions 28 on the respective ends of the shaft 2 6.

Connecting links 36 connect one of the cranks 28 of the crank shaft 2t? to a respective one of the crank portions 13 of the body support shafts 16. Thus, it will be recognized that as the crank shaft 26 is rotated by the feet mounted upon the pedals 32, the front and rear ends of the simulated horse 24 will rise and fall to produce a simulated gallop eifect which is highly amusing, entertaining, and which may be readily used for exercise purposes.

While the orientation of the throws and cranks may be varied, the design as shown is such that each time a pedal reaches the top dead center and starts on the downward stroke, the horse will rise on the end to which the power is supplied. The rider thus has the advantage by having the downward stroke to overcome his own weight.

While various changes may be made in the detail construction, it shall be understood that such changes shall be within the spirit and scope of the present invention, as defined by the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A foot operated motion device comprising in combination a stationary main frame, a weight supporting simulated horse body member, rotatable shaft means rotatably mounted upon longitudinally spaced apart portions of said main frame supporting longitudinally spaced apart portions of said body member, a foot pedal assembly rotatably mounted upon said main frame intermediate the opposite ends thereof and link means drivingly connecting said foot pedal assembly to said rotatable shaft means, said link means comprising a pair of link bars each connected to said foot pedal assembly and to one of said rotatable shaft means, said stationary main frame comprising a substantially rigid tubular frame having laterally extending terminal portions for stable supported engagement upon a supporting surface, said weight supporting simulated horse body member comprising a substantially rigid member having a seat for supporting the weight of the operator, said rotatable shaft means comprising a pair of longitudinally spaced apart weight supporting shafts rotatably mounted upon longitudinally spaced apart portions of said main frame, each one of said weight supporting shafts having throws rotatably secured to respective depending legs of said main body member and each said weight supporting shaft having a central crank portion connected to said foot pedal assembly by one of said link bars.

2. The combination according to claim 1, wherein said foot pedal assembly comprises a crank shaft having diametrically oppositely arranged foot pedal members secured to each end thereof, and the central portion of said crank shaft having a pair of diametrically oppositely arranged crank portions connected to said crank portions of said weight supporting shafts.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

